Portable gas powered internal combustion engine arrangement

ABSTRACT

A gas powered internal combustion engine in which the gas is provided from the gas phase of a pressurized liquid gas in an liquified petroleum gas container and in which the liquified petroleum gas container is rigidly mounted adjacent to the internal combustion engine at a preselected angle to be in conductive heat transfer relationship to the internal combustion engine and in vibration receiving relationship to the internal combustion engine whereby the liquified gas in the liquified petroleum gas container is heated and vibrated and the effective surface area thereof is thereby increased. A pressure regulator is provided for receiving the gas from the liquified petroleum gas bottle regulating the pressure of the gas transmitted to the internal combustion engine and at least one flexible hose is connected to the pressure regulator for transmitting the gas therethrough. A vibration and/or heat limiting member may be incorporated to reduce the frequence and amplitude of the vibration and limit the amount of heat transferred to the liquified petroleum gas.

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This Application is a continuation in part of co-pending applicationSer. No. 12/927,612 filed Nov. 19, 2010 which is a continuation in partof co-pending Ser. No. 12/655,121, filed Dec. 24, 2009, which is acontinuation in part of Ser. No. 12/455,407 filed Jun. 3, 2009 now U.S.Pat. No. 7,703,430, which is a continuation of Ser. No. 12/221,869,filed Aug. 6, 2008 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,730,868, which is a continuationof Ser. No. 11/702,381 filed Feb. 6, 2008 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,424,886,and is a continuation in part of co-pending Ser. No. 12/655144 filedDec. 24, 2009 which is a continuation of Ser. No. 12/455,790 filed Jun.8, 2009, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,739,996, which is a continuation of Ser.No. 12/221,869, filed Aug. 6, 2008 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,730,868, which isa continuation of Ser. No. 11/702,381 filed Feb. 6, 2008 now U.S. Pat.No. 7,424,886.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a gas powered internal combustion engine whichmay be utilized to drive a variety of devices and may be utilized in oneapplication as an emergency power source for generating electricalpower. As utilized herein the term “gas” refers to a fluid in the gasstate as a product which is emitted from a fluid in the liquid statewhich is stored under pressure and as contained, for example, in an LPG:Liquefied Petroleum Gas, commonly known as propane, container, or butaneor the like. As utilized herein, the terms gas state, liquid state andfluid are used in the technical sense. That is, fluid is defined to meana substance that can fill the volume of the container in which it isplaced and includes both gas state and liquid state of the substance.“Gasoline” is used herein to define the liquid hydrocarbon based fuelsgenerally used to power the engines of automobiles, trucks and the like.

2. Description of the Prior Art

There are many applications where a portable source of power is desired.These applications include the operation of many rotary devices such asportable gardening tools including hedge trimmers, weed cutters, smallchain, reciprocating or rotating saws, and the like. Such devices areused while the user thereof is mobile. These devices are often driven bya small internal combustion engine using gasoline as the energy sourceand having a small tank for the gasoline as part of the equipment andproviding a rotary output through a rotating drive shaft driven by theinternal combustion engine to drive the particular device. As such, theyrequire the storage of gasoline for the continued operation thereof inorder to periodically refill the small gasoline tank. However, thestorage of gasoline is highly restricted as to the type of container inwhich it may be stored, the places where it may be stored, the amountthat may be stored and the environmental conditions under which it maybe stored.

Another application of portable sources of power is in the field ofdevices that, while portable, are generally stationary during use. Thisfield of devices includes portable electric generators utilized foremergency power or to provide electrical energy in locations where otherelectrical energy is not available. Many of these portable electricalpower generators are driven by an internal combustion engine. The largertypes of these portable electric power generators as carried inemergency vehicles of various types utilize gasoline or diesel poweredengines with comparatively large storage supplies of the gasoline ordiesel oil. Such devices are, of course, large and cumbersome and notadapted to be a readily portable device that may be easily carried byone person and transported from location to location.

However, there is a demand for an electric power generator that is smalland light enough to be moved by one person from location to location andstill provide a moderate amount of electrical power. These smallelectrical power generators are often driven by a small, light weightinternal combustion engine. In this class of small, light weightinternal combustion engine driven electrical generators it is oftendesired to store such device, either permanently or temporarily in thehome, garage, vehicle or other location and also to store acomparatively large amount of fuel for use therein. In the situation ofan electrical power outage in a residence, a small electrical powergenerator may be utilized to power a radio, recharge a cell phone orother such device, power a hot plate for cooking, provide illuminationor for other desired activities. Other uses of a small internalcombustion engine drive electrical generator are in campsites, on boatswhich do not have any other type of electrical power, and may otherpurposes.

The internal combustion engine that have heretofore been proposed forthese small internal combustion engine driven electrical generators havebeen single cylinder, two cycle, engines in which the compression hasbeen in the cylinder located in the crankcase thereof

To meet these desiderata it is necessary that the fuel to power theinternal combustion engine be of the type and in the condition that itmay be stored in virtually any desired amount at the storage location ofthe engine powered electrical generator. The use of LPG is one type offuel that may be utilized in an internal combustion engine in place ofthe gasoline or diesel to power the internal combustion engine that isutilized to drive the electrical generator, or other engine drivendevice. The LPG containers are pressurized so that the gas therein isconverted to the liquid state and, as such, has an amount of fluid inthe gas state above the vertically top level of the fluid in the liquidstate.

One type of LPG storage bottle that has been proposed to provide powerfor these small internal combustion engine driven devices is a smallcontainer holding approximately 1 to 2 pounds of LPG contained in thebottle. These bottles have heretofore been utilized in various campingapplications and are widely available.

In some of the prior art configurations, an LPG container was utilizedand the LPG container required a particular rotational orientation aboutthe long axis thereof in order to feed the gas therefrom because of agenerally right angle bended feed tube in the container through whichthe gas flows to regions external the LPG container. Such aconfiguration limits the utility of such a device.

One very well known brand of such LPG bottles is the small LPGcontainers which are generally known to the public as Coleman Bottles.The Coleman Bottles are on the order of three and one half inches indiameter and on the order of seven and one half inches in axial lengthand contain about one to two pounds of the LPG. The Coleman Bottles comeequipped with a standard threaded adapter for ready threading into autilizing device and do not have any preferred orientation of rotationabout the long axis thereof with respect to the device into which it isthreaded. The adapter has an internal disconnect coupling forappropriate connection into a matching disconnect coupling which allowsthe flow of gas from the bottle when connected and prevents the flow ofgas therefrom when disconnected. The Coleman Bottles are also providedwith a built in pressure relief valve for safety in the event of overpressurization. The Coleman Bottles contain such a limited amount of LPGthat a plurality of such bottles generally may, within the present lawsand regulations, be stored in the home, in the garage or carried in avehicle thus making them attractive as a substitute for use in manygasoline or diesel oil powered applications. However, the gas flow rateof the gas from the LPG in a Coleman Bottle is limited because of thecomparatively small surface area of the LPG from which the gas isgenerated. In the event that too high a gas flow rate is demanded fromthe LPG in a Coleman Bottle, the LPG will freeze and thus effectivelyend the generation of the gas at usable flow rates from the LPG.Consequently, despite the attractiveness of the Coleman Bottles for usein many devices, the use of the Coleman Bottles has generally beenlimited to very low power requirement applications and have not beenadapted for use in providing the energy for powering an internalcombustion engine utilized to drive an electrical generator or otherportable engine driven devices.

Thus, there has long been a need for a suitable arrangement in which astandard, readily available Coleman Bottle is utilized in an applicationin which power sufficient to drive a small electrical generator or othersmall portable engine driven devices is demanded.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide animproved portable internal combustion engine driven device in which theengine is powered by LPG.

It is another object of the present device to provide an improvedportable internal combustion engine driven device in which the engine ispowered by LPG and the LPG is in a container having a comparativelysmall amount of LPG.

It is another object of the present device to provide an improvedportable internal combustion engine driven device in which the engine ispowered by LPG and the LPG is in a container having a comparativelysmall amount of LPG and the LPG container may be rotated about its axisto any desired position for operation and does not require a particularrotational position about its axis for operation.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an improvedportable internal combustion engine driven device in which the engine ispowered by LPG and the LPG is in a container having a comparativelysmall amount of LPG and in which a comparatively large and continuousflow of gas from the LPG in the container is obtainable.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide animproved portable internal combustion engine driven device in which theengine is powered by LPG and the LPG is in a container having acomparatively small amount of LPG and the mounting of the LPG containerwith respect to the internal combustion engine allows a comparativelylarge and continuous flow of gas from the LPG in the container

It is another object of the present invention to provide mountingstructure for the components of an improved portable internal combustionengine driven device that will minimize or eliminate deleterious effectsof differential vibrations between the components thereof.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a vibrationand/or heat limiting member to attenuate the frequence of the vibrationand/or reduce the amplitude of the vibration an/or to reduce the heattransferred to the liquified petroleum gas bottle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The above and other objects of the present invention are achieved, in apreferred embodiment thereof, in an internal combustion engine drivendevice which for purposes of describing this embodiment may be anelectrical energy generator. The internal combustion engine may be afour stroke, two stroke with appropriate oil injection, single cylinderair or liquid cooled engine, though larger types of engines may beutilized as desired for particular applications. The internal combustionengine may have an inertial or pull type starter to initiate operationthereof and such engines are readily available. The cylinder of theinternal combustion engine is contained in a crankcase and the movementof the piston in the cylinder drives a crankshaft which is connected tothe device to be driven such as the electrical generator. The combustionof the gas-air mixture in the cylinder of the internal combustion enginegenerates heat which heats the cylinder and crankcase of the engine.Further, the operation of the engine also vibrates the engine and allthe structure associated with therewith.

The engine has a carburetor in which the gas is mixed with air toprovide the explosive mixture that is introduced into the cylinder. Theengine is provided with a spark plug to initiate the combustion of thegas-air mixture in the cylinder.

In accordance with the principals of the present invention a mountingplate is adjacent the crankcase of the engine and is coupled thereto.The mounting plate receives both heat from the crankcase and is vibratedby the vibration of the engine.

The gas provided to the carburetor is gas from the LPG contained in aColeman Bottle arrangement of one or more Coleman Bottles. The ColemanBottle type LPG container (whether called a Coleman Bottles or soldunder any other brand name) in the arrangement is mounted on themounting plate connected to the crankcase of the internal combustionengine to be in heat transfer and vibration transfer relationshipthereto in a preferred orientation with respect to the horizontal. TheColeman Bottle may be of the configuration illustrated in U.S. designpatent D295886. The Coleman Bottles may contain, in the smaller versionsthereof, liquified petroleum gas on the order of 14 to 16 ounces. Suchsize LPG containers are the general type preferred for usage in theembodiments of the present invention. The preferred orientation is withthe long axis of the Coleman Bottle LPG container at an angle of between14° and 16°, with 15° being desired, for the present configuration ofthe Coleman Bottles. This angular orientation provides the very unusualand unexpected result of maximizing the gas flow and preventing the flowof liquid LPG from the Coleman Bottles. Since the Coleman Bottles arenot filled to the top of the bottle with the LPG but have apredetermined and generally uniform from bottle to bottle volume of gasabove the top surface of the LPG The selected angular orientation of theColeman Bottles with respect to the horizontal is such that the surfacearea of the LPG is maximized but the outlet of the Coleman Bottles isvertically above the top surface of the LPG. Such orientation of theColeman Bottles not only maximizes the usable surface area of the LPGfrom which the gas state is generated but also prevent the flow of LPGin the liquid state therefrom. The preferred angular orientation withrespect to the horizontal may be selected for other LPG containers whichmay be utilized in other applications to achieve the unusual and novelconfiguration for evaporation of the gas from the liquid LPG. TheColeman Bottles have the additional advantage of being free from anyrequirement for a particular rotational position about its long axis foroperation. That is, for the Coleman Bottles mounted as described herein,the Coleman Bottles may be in any rotational position about its axis andstill provide operation.

The above described mounting of the Coleman Bottles on the mountingplate to be in thermal transfer relationship thereto for receiving heatas generated in the cylinder of the internal combustion engine as wellas receiving vibration therefrom uniquely allows the continuous flow oflarger amounts of gas from the LPG to thereby allow the powering oflarger internal combustion engines and demand devices. The heattransferred to the Coleman Bottles heats the LPG contained therein toincrease the evaporation of gas therefrom. The heat thus transferred tothe LPG tends to keep the temperature of the liquid LPG above thefreezing point even though comparatively larger amounts of gas areevaporated therefrom. The direct transfer of heat from the engine to theColeman bottle and thus to the LPG therein has a dual benefit: the heatkeeps the LPG from freezing and aids in cooling the internal combustionengine during the operation thereof. The transmittal of vibration of theColeman Bottle by the operation of the engine also agitates the LPG tothus increase the effective surface area thereof thereby allowing evengreater flow of gas therefrom and the agitation also helps in preventingthe LPG from freezing.

The internal combustion engine has a rotating crankshaft that is drivenby the operation of the piston in the cylinder and the crankshaft isconnected to any desired device that is to be powered. For purposes ofexplanation of the principles of the present invention, the preferredembodiment of the invention is described and shown herein as having anelectric generator driven by the internal combustion engine. However,many other devices may be driven by the internal combustion engine instructure incorporating the principles of the present invention.

The generator is driven by the internal combustion engine and provideselectrical power. The electrical power may be alternating current and/ormay also be direct current. Suitable receptacles for allowing plug inconnection at the receptacles to electric powered devices are provided.

In order to provide even greater flow of gas, two or more ColemanBottles may be mounted on the internal combustion engine and connectedtogether to provide a single gas flow outlet therefrom.

In some applications of the preferred embodiment of the presentinvention it may be desired to utilize other gas powered devices of thetype commonly used in many outdoor camping applications and the like.Such gas operated illumination, cooking, heating and similar devicesgenerally have a built in pressure or flow regulator. A separate gasflow outlet tube may be provided from the Coleman Bottle to allowattachment and operation of these devices either independently orsimultaneously with the operation of the electric generator.

In other applications of the present invention, gas powered internalcombustion engine may be utilized to power such diverse implements asvarious gardening tools such as leaf blowers, edge trimmers, mowers, andthe like as well, as other devices where a safe, portable source ofpower is required.

In some applications of the present invention it has been found that thevibration to which the liquified petroleum gas container is exposedduring operation of the internal combustion engine may cause damage tothe liquified petroleum gas container to which a rigid hose is utilizedfor connecting the liquified petroleum gas container to the pressureregulator or to any other component of the system. In an embodiment ofthe present invention that overcomes the problem of vibration induceddamage to the liquified petroleum gas container and/or the hoseconnection at the output thereof, there is provided in this embodiment aflexible hose for conducting the liquified petroleum gas from theliquified petroleum gas container to the a component of the system. Inone variation of this embodiment of the present invention, there isprovided an outlet conduit which is a flexible hose having a first endthereof connected to a connector on the outlet of the liquifiedpetroleum gas container to minimize the damaging effect of vibration andthe second end of the outlet conduit flexible hose may be connected to,for example, a pressure regulator which is mounted on the internalcombustion engine, for example on the carburetor thereof.

In another variation of this embodiment of the present invention, thepressure regulator is not mounted directly on the internal combustionengine. In this variation of the embodiment an outlet conduit, which maybe a flexible hose is connected between the connector on the outletconnection of the liquified petroleum gas container and the pressureregulator and a delivery conduit is connected between the pressureregulator and the internal combustion engine. The pressure regulator inthis embodiment is considered to be “line mounted” since the pressureregulator may, if desired, only be connected to the outlet conduit andthe delivery conduit. For the embodiment where the outlet conduit is aflexible hose, the delivery conduit may be a rigid tube. Alternatively,if the outlet conduit is a rigid tube, the delivery conduit may be aflexible hose. In another variation of this embodiment, both the outletconduit and the delivery conduit may be a flexible hose.

If the pressure regulator were to be connected directly to the connectorat the outlet connection of the liquified petroleum gas container, onlya delivery conduit which may be a flexible hose is connected between thepressure regulator and the internal combustion engine for example to thecarburetor thereof.

According to the principles of the present invention, there are threebasic variations on the location of the pressure regulator in relationto the liquified petroleum gas bottle and the carburetor, or other gasinput on the engine:

1. The pressure regulator is mounted on or very closely coupled to theconnector attached to the outlet connection of the liquified petroleumgas bottle;

2. The pressure regulator is mounted on or closely coupled to theinternal combustion engine, for example to the carburetor thereof; and,

3. The pressure regulator is line mounted between the internalcombustion engine and the liquified petroleum gas bottle.

The selection of the use of flexible hoses between the pressureregulator and the internal combustion engine and/or between the pressureregulator and the liquified petroleum gas bottle for each variation asabove set forth depends on the characteristics of the overall system andthe vibration produced in the various components during the operation ofthe internal combustion engine.

In certain other applications of the principles of the present inventionit has been found that the frequency of the vibration transmitted to theliquified petroleum gas bottle and/or the amplitude of the vibration maybe to great so that there is a danger of damage to the variouscomponents and/or that the amount of heat transferred to the liquifiedpetroleum gas is too great so that operation of the device may beadversely affected. To avoid such adverse effect on the operation, avibration and/or heat limiting member may be incorporated into thestructure to limit the vibration characteristics and limit the heatflow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The above and other embodiments of the present invention may be morefully understood from the following detailed description taken togetherwith the accompanying drawing wherein similar reference characters referto similar elements throughout and in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a preferred embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 is a semi-schematic sectional illustration of a Coleman Bottleuseful in the practice of the present invention,

FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of an LPG arrangement having threeindividual LPG containers connected together which is useful in thepractice of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is an exploded diagram of a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention showing the mounting of the internal combustion engine to theLPG container;

FIG. 4A is an exploded diagram of an alternate LPG container andmounting;

FIG. 5 is a partial sectional view of the LPG bottle of the presentinvention as installed in a structure according to the principleshereof;

FIG. 6 is a front view of a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention for an engine driven portable emergency electric powergenerator;

FIG. 7 is a left side view of the preferred embodiment of the presentinvention shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a right side view of the preferred embodiment of the presentinvention shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is rear view of the preferred embodiment of the present inventionshown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 10 illustrates an embodiment of the present invention as utilizedin a trimmer;

FIG. 11 illustrates an embodiment of the present invention as utilizedin a blower;

FIG. 12 is a block diagram of another embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 13 is a block diagram of another embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 14 is a block diagram of another embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 15 illustrates an embodiment of the present invention incorporatinga vibration and/or heat limiting member;

FIGS. 16, 17 and 18 illustrate another embodiment of the presentinvention incorporating a vibration and/or heat limiting member;

FIGS. 19 and 20 illustrate another embodiment of a vibration and/or heatlimiting member;

FIG. 21 illustrates another embodiment of the present inventionincorporating a vibration and/or heat limiting member.

a semi schematic representation of a preferred LPG container 12 asutilized in the embodiment 10. In the LPG container 12 shown in FIG. 2,which in preferred embodiments of the present invention is a ColemanBottle or similar storage container, there is a liquefied gas underpressure indicated at 14 and also gas phase 16 as evaporated from theliquified gas 14. The gas 16 flows from the LPG container 12 through aconduit indicated at 18. Since the pressure of the gas 16 in the LPGcontainer 12 is much greater than is desired for use in the embodiment10, the gas flow through conduit 18 is directed to a pressure regulator20. The pressure regulator 20 regulates the pressure of the gas 16flowing therethrough to a value on the order of 0.217 psi to 0.365 psiwhich is the range of pressures that can be utilized for the internalcombustion engine 22 as described below, though higher or lowerpressures of the gas may be utilized as desired for particularapplications.

The gas 16 may also be directed to flow from the conduit 18 throughconduit 19 to an auxiliary gas powered device 21 such as an illuminationdevice, cooking device or the like. Such devices are well known and ingeneral have a built in pressure regulator or flow control to regulatethe pressure or flow of the gas 16 to a value that compatible with thedevice 21.

The gas 16 flowing from the pressure regulator 20 is directed through adelivery conduit 23 into a carburetor 24 that is part of the internalcombustion engine 22. The carburetor 24 has an air intake as indicatedat 26. The carburetor 24 mixes the gas 16 with the air and provides themixture to the cylinder 28 of the internal combustion engine 22 in amanner well known. The internal combustion engine 22 has a rotatingoutput shaft 30. In the embodiment 10 the rotating output shaft drivesan electric generator 32. The electric generator 32 provides electricenergy as indicated at 34 and may be, for example in the power range of300 to 1000 watts though larger power generators may be utilized inother applications. The electric energy may, if desired, be directed toprovide 12 volt DC current as indicted at 36 or may be passed into aninvertor 38 for conversion to 120 volts AC, 60 cycle as indicted at 40.

As noted above, the internal combustion engine 22 may be a four stroke,or two stroke with appropriate oil injection, air or liquid cooledengine, though in other applications a larger engine may utilized asdesired. During the operation of the internal combustion engine 22, thecombustion of the gas 16 and air mixture therein in the cylinder thereofgenerates heat and also vibrates the engine 22. As described below ingreater detail, these two factors which are always occurring during theoperation of an internal combustion engine are uniquely andadvantageously utilized in the operation of the various embodiments ofthe present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates in schematic representation, a typical LPG container12 such as a Coleman Bottle. The LPG container 12 may be of the typemanufactured by various entities and may come in a variety of sizes. Ingeneral, such LPG containers are provided with a built in safetypressure relief valve 42 to allow the venting of the gas 16 in the eventthat the pressure thereof exceeds a predetermined value. In theembodiment 10 the LPG container 12 as shown schematically in FIG. 1 maybe comprised of a plurality of individual LPG containers joined togetherto discharge gas 16 through a single outlet such as conduit 18. FIG. 3schematically shows three LPG containers 12 a, 12 b and 12 c joinedtogether by a manifold 18′ to discharge gas 16 through the singleconduit 18.

FIG. 4 illustrates an exploded view of the assembly of the LPG bottle 12and the internal combustion engine 22. The carburetor 24 is mounted onthe side of the cylinder 28 atop the crankcase 44. There is provided aspark plug 46 which provides the spark required to ignite the gas/airmixture that is received in the cylinder 28 from the carburetor 24 todrive the output shaft 30. An inertia or recoil type starter 48 isprovided to start the operation of the internal combustion engine 22.

A front plate 50 is mounted on the crankcase 44 by bolts 52 a, 52 b, 52c and 52 d. The front plate 50 is provided with a connector 56 that isadapted to engage the output connection 12′ of the LPG tank 12. Amounting bracket 58 is rigidly connected to the crankcase 44 of theinternal combustion engine 22 and to the front plate 50 by bolts 60 a,60 b, 60 c and 60 d to be in heat receiving and vibration receivingrelationship to the internal combustion engine 22. The mounting bracket58 has a strap 62 which is provided with an over center fastener 64 andthe strap 62 is adapted to receive the LPG container 12 therein for snugretention in the cavity 66 when the over center fastener 64 is closed.As noted above, when the LPG container 12 is mounted in the cavity 66the connector 56 of front plate 50 engages the output connection 12′ toallow the flow of gas 16 through the conduit 18 and/or 19.

Since there may be some variation in the size of LPG containersdepending on the amount of LPG stored therein and the size desired by aparticular manufacturer thereof, FIG. 4A shows an LPG container 12A thatmay be utilized in the embodiment 10 as shown in FIG. 4. An adapter 70is provided which has a cavity 72 therein and the walls 72′ of thecavity 72 are adapted to provide a snug fit on the LPG container 12A.The outer walls 74 of the adapter 70 are substantially the same diameteras the outer diameter of the LPG tank 12 so that there is a tight fit inthe cavity 66 of the mounting bracket 58.

The output shaft 30, in the embodiment 10 is, as described above inconnection with FIG. 1, connected to the electric generator 32. However,as described below in connection with other embodiments of the presentinvention, the output shaft 30 may be connected to any desired type ofdevice that requires a drive engine for operation.

FIG. 5 illustrates the mounting of the LPG tank 12 in preferredembodiments of the present invention. In FIG. 5, the arrow 74 representsthe direction of gravity and the horizontal direction as indicated bythe line 76 is perpendicular to the direction of gravity 74. As is wellknown, the latent heat of vaporization of the gas 16 from the liquifiedgas 14 tends to cool the liquified gas 14 and if too much gas 16 isproduced, the liquified gas 14 will freeze to a solid state. Further,the gas 16 is evaporated from the surface 14′ of the liquified gas 14.Therefore, it is desired to tend to maximize the surface area of theliquefied gas 14 so that the maximum amount of gas 16 may be providedfrom a given size LPG container. However, the more gas 16 that isevaporated from the liquified gas 14, the greater is the chance that theliquified gas 14 will freeze to the solid state and thus end theevaporation of significant amounts of gas 16. In the present invention,as shown in FIG. 5, the LPG container 12 is mounted at an angle A to thehorizontal and the angle A has been found to be on the order of 12° to16° with a preferred angle of 15° for the conventional Coleman BottleLPG container and provides in the angular range that will prevent anyliquified gas 14 from entering the conduit 18 even when the container 12is full. The mounting plate 58 is preferably fabricated from a high heattransfer material such as aluminum so that the maximum amount of heat istransferred by conduction from the engine 22 through the mountingbracket 58 to the wall of the LPG container 12 and thus to the liquifiedgas 14 because of the direct rigid mounting of the mounting bracket 58on the internal combustion engine 22. The heat thus transferred to theLPG container 58 from the engine 22 counteracts the latent heat ofvaporization and tends to prevent the freezing of the liquified gas 14.Further, the vibration of the internal combustion engine 22 agitates thesurface 14′ of the liquified gas 14 thereby increasing the surface areato an amount greater than would occur without the vibration. Suchagitation increases the surface area 14′ of the liquified gas 14 and theconduction of heat to the liquified gas 14 tends to increase the amountof gas 16 that may be generated from the liquified gas 14 for a givensize and configuration of the LPG. However, for LPG containers of adifferent configuration than the Coleman Bottles, a different angularrelationship of the LPG container may be required to maximize thesurface area of the liquified gas 14 but still prevent the discharge ofliquid into the conduit 18 even when the LPG container is full. The useof conductive heat transfer from the engine 22 to the mounting bracket50 also helps cool the internal combustion engine.

As noted above, in the embodiment 10 the output shaft 30 of the internalcombustion engine 22 is connected to an electric generator 32. FIGS. 6through 9 illustrate the configuration of an embodiment 10 that is smalland convenient to carry. As shown on FIG. 6 which is a front view of theembodiment 10 there is a case 80, partially broken away for clarity, inwhich the internal combustion engine 22 and electric generator arecontained. The recoil starter 44 is provided with a pull 44′ foroperation thereof in a well known manner. As shown in FIG. 6 there isprovided a handle 82, partially broken away, for convenient lifting andcarrying of the embodiment 10. Feet 84 may be provided on the bottomportion 82′ of handle 82 for the support of the embodiment 10 on anydesired surface.

As shown most clearly on FIG. 7, the output electrical energy generatedby the electrical generator 32 is provided in both 120 volt AC at dualsocket 90 and two 12 volt DC outlets as indicated at 92.

FIG. 10 illustrates an embodiment 100 of the present invention asutilized to power an trimmer 102. As shown on FIG. 10, there is providedan internal combustion engine 22 powered by gas from an LPG container 12and the internal combustion engine 22 rotates an output shaft 30′ torotate the trimmer. Thus, the internal combustion engine and LPGcontainer replace the gasoline powered engine and gasoline tank oftenutilized in such applications.

FIG. 11 illustrates an embodiment 110 of the present invention in whichan internal combustion engine 22 powered by the gas from an LPGcontainer 12 drives a fan 112 to provide a leaf blower 114. Inembodiment 110 the internal combustion engine 22 and LPG bottle 12replace the gasoline powered internal combustion engine and gasolinestorage tank often utilized in such applications.

In some applications of the principles of the present invention, it hasbeen found that excessive vibration generated by some engines and/orusage of the device over long periods of time and/or the relativemovement between the internal combustion engine and the LPG bottle maycause a crack or other damage to the liquified gas storage bottle due torelative movement between the liquified gas storage bottle and theinternal combustion engine. As noted above, the front plate 50 of theembodiment 10 as shown on FIG. 4, is rigidly mounted on the internalcombustion engine 22 and the front plate 50 has a connector 56 thatengages the output connection 12′ of the liquified petroleum gas tank12.

In order to eliminate the cracking or other damage to the LPG bottle 12caused by the relative movement and the excessive vibration/long usage,the rigid mounting of the LPG tank 12 to the connector 56 on the frontplate 50 may be eliminated and the LPG tank 12 may be rigidly supported,as described above, on the mounting plate 58.

FIG. 12 illustrates a block diagram of an embodiment 140 of thisarrangement. As shown thereon, there is a liquified gas storage bottle112 which may be the same as the LPG bottle 12 described above and isprovided with an output connection 112′ similar to the outlet connection12′ that engages a connector 156 which may be similar to the connector56 described above. In the embodiment 100, the connector 156 is onlyconnected to the outlet connection 112′ and is not mounted on any otherstructure. An outlet conduit 118 is connected to the connector 156 todirect the flow of gas away from the LPG bottle 112 to a pressureregulator 120 for ultimate use in an internal combustion engine 122. Inthe embodiment 140, pressure regulator 120 is mounted on the internalcombustion engine 122. The outlet conduit 118 is a flexible hose such asmetal flex hose, rubber hose, plastic reinforced hose or other materialthat will prevent damage from relevant movement between the LPG bottle112′ and the internal combustion engine 122.

A delivery conduit 123 is connected between the pressure regulator 120and the engine 122 to direct the flow of gas into the internalcombustion engine 122 and may be fabricated from a rigid conduit or aflexible hose as desired for any particular application. The deliveryconduit 123 may be a flexible hose or a rigid tube depending on theparticular application. The flexible delivery conduit 123 and/or theoutlet conduit 118 prevents damage due to relative movement between theLPG bottle 112 and the internal combustion engine 122.

In a variation of the embodiment 140, the pressure regulator 120 may beline mounted between the LPG bottle and the internal combustion engine122. In such an arrangement either the outlet conduit 118 or thedelivery conduit 123, or both, may be flexible hose and the otherconduit may be a rigid tube as may be selected for particularapplications. The flexible delivery conduit 123 and/or the flexibleoutlet conduit prevents damage due to relative movement between the LPGbottle 112 and the internal combustion engine 122.

In another embodiment of the present invention 160 shown in blockdiagram form on FIG. 13, the LPG bottle 112 has the output connector112′ engaging the connector 156 and the pressure regulator 120 isconnected to the connector 156 and is free of connection to otherstructure. In this embodiment 160, the delivery conduit 123 between thepressure regulator 120 and the internal combustion engine 122 is aflexible conduit such as the flexible conduit 118 described above. Theflexible delivery conduit 123 prevents damage due to relative movementbetween the LPG bottle 112 and the internal combustion engine 122.

In another embodiment 180 of the present invention shown in FIG. 14, thepressure regulator is mounted on or closely coupled to the internalcombustion engine 122, for example at the carburetor thereof, so thatthere is no relative movement between the pressure regulator 120 and theinternal combustion engine 122 but the pressure regulator 120 is spacedfrom the liquified petroleum gas bottle 112. In this embodiment, theoutlet conduit 118 is preferably a flexible hose. The flexible outletconduit 118 prevents damage due to relative movement between the LPGbottle 112 and the internal combustion engine 122.

As noted above, in some applications of the present invention it hasbeen found that the vibration induced by the engine on which the LPG gasbottle is mounted can cause damage to the various components of thestructure of the present invention. In other applications of the presentinvention it has been found that the frequency and/or the amplitude ofthe vibration to which the LPG bottle is subject and/or the heattransmitted to the LPG bottle may become excessive and cause damage tothe various components even though a flexible hose may be utilized invarious arrangements of the components or may cause inconsistentoperation of the device. The factors that result in such excessivevibration and/or heat may include, but are not limited to, theparticular internal combustion engine and its design and configuration,the mounting arrangement for the various components of the device, theenvironment in which the device is utilized, the materials utilized inthe various components and the mountings thereof, the loads imposed onthe various components during use and the like. Therefore, in accordancewith the principles of the present invention, the rigid mounting of theLPG bottle in heat and vibration receiving relationship to the internalcombustion engine may incorporate a vibration and/or heat limitingmember so that the frequency of the vibration transmitted to the LPGbottle and/or the amplitude of the vibration transmitted to the LPGbottle and/or the heat transmitted to the LPG bottle from the internalcombustion engine is reduced or otherwise limited to a range wherein thepossibility of potential damage will be reduced. Such vibration and/orheat limiting member may be utilized, if desired, with the variousflexible hose arrangements described above.

Referring now to FIG. 15 there is illustrated an embodiment 200 of thepresent invention incorporating a vibration and/or heat limiting member202 in the rigid mounting of a LPG bottle 13, which may be similar tothe LPG bottle 12 described above, to a mounting bracket 58′ which maybe similar to the mounting bracket 58 described above, to provide theLPG bottle 13 rigidly mounted in heat and vibration receivingrelationship to an internal combustion engine 22′ which may be similarto the internal combustion engine 22 described above. The vibrationand/or heat limiting member 202 has a pair of spaced apart wing portions204 and 206. The wing portion 204 has a first end 204 a and a second end204 b. The wing portion 206 has a first end 206 a and a second end 206b. A center portion 208 is coupled to the wing portions 204 and 206 andis intermediate therebetween. The center portion 208 has a first end 208a that is spaced a first preselected distance from the first end 204 aof wing portion 204 and first end 206 a of wing portion 206 a firstdirection indicated by the arrow 210. The center portion 208 has asecond end 208 b which is spaced a second preselected distance from thesecond end 204 b of wing portion 204 and second end 206 b of wingportion 206 in a second direction indicated by the arrow 212 which is inan opposite direction to the first direction 210.

The first end 204 a of wing portion 204 has an aperture 204 a′therethrough and the first end 206 a of wing portion 206 has an aperture206 a′ therethrough and the second end 208 b has an aperture 208 b′ andbolts 214 are utilized to extend through the apertures 204 a, 206 a′ and208 b′ to connect to the vibration and/or heat limiting member 202 tothe engine 22′.

The second end 208 b of the intermediate member 208 has aperture 208 b′extending therethrough and the second end 204 b of wing portion 204 hasan aperture 204 b′ therethrough and the second end 206 b of wing portion206 has an aperture 206 b′ extending therethrough. The mounting bracket58′ has apertures 58′a, 58′b and 58′c extending therethrough. Bolts orrivets 216 are utilized to extend through the apertures 58′a, 58′b and58′c and the apertures 204 b′, 206 b′ and 208 a′ to connect thevibration and/or heat limiting member 202 to the mounting bracket 58′.The LPG bottle 13 may be rigidly mounted in the mounting bracket 58′ asdescribed above in connection with the rigid mounting of the LPG bottle12 to the mounting bracket 58 as shown in FIG. 4.

The vibration and/or heat limiting member 202 may be fabricated from aresilient, heat transferring material such as spring steel. As shown onFIG. 15, the engine 22′ transfers vibration and heat to the vibrationand/or heat limiting member 202. Because of the resilient structure andthe mounting arrangement of the vibration and/or heat limiting member202 to the mounting bracket 58′, vibration amplitude of the LPG bottleis decreased and the vibration frequency transmitted by the vibrationand/or heat limiting member to the mounting bracket 58′ is attenuated.Further, because of the limited conductive heat transfer path from thevibration and/or heat limiting member to the mounting bracket 58′ andthus to the LPG bottle 13 that is rigidly mounted in the mountingbracket 58′ the amount of heat so transferred is reduced.

FIG. 16 illustrates another embodiment generally designated 220 of thepresent invention which incorporates a vibration and/or heat limitingmember 222 to limit the vibration frequency and amplitude and heattransmitted from the engine 22′ to the mounting bracket 58′ and thus tothe LPG bottle 13 which is rigidly mounted in the mounting bracket 58′.In the embodiment 220, the vibration and/or heat limiting member 222 iscomprised of three separate mounting portions 224 a, 224 b and 224 cwhich, if desired, may be of the same construction or, alternatively, asdescribed below, of a different construction. FIGS. 17 and 18 illustratedetails of the mounting portion 224 a, 224 b and 224 c. As shown, eachof the portions 224 a, 224 b and 224 c have a top plate 226 and a spacedapart bottom plate 228 both of which are fabricated of a heattransmitting material such as steel, aluminum, or the like. A roundresilient pad 230 which may be an elastomeric or rubber material isbonded to the top plate 226 and the bottom plate 228. The resilient pad230 is resiliently deformable to allow the top plate 226 and bottomplate to move towards and away from each other in a controlled ratedetermined by the preselected resiliency of the pad 230. As shown onFIGS. 17 and 18 a heat transmitting coil 232 such as metal may bewrapped around the resilient pad 230 ands in contact with the top plate226 and bottom plate 228 to transfer heat from the top plate 226 to thebottom plate 228. The heat transmitting coil 232 is omitted from FIGS.16 and 17 for clarity. The top plates 226 have an aperture 234therethrough to allow a bolt or other fastener to connect the mountingportions 224 a, 224 b and 224 c to the internal combustion engine 22′ inthe manner as shown on FIG. 15 and as described above. Similarly, thebottom plates 228 have an aperture 236 therethrough to allow connectionto the mounting bracket 58′ in the manner as shown on FIG. 15 and asdescribed above to the apertures 240 in the mounting bracket 58′. Theresilient action of the elastomeric pads 230 attenuate the vibrationtransmitted from the internal combustion engine 22′ to the mountingbracket 58. Such attenuation of the vibration reduces the frequency anddecreases the amplitude of the vibration transmitted to the LPG bottle13 which is rigidly mounted on the mounting bracket 58′ as describedabove. The limited size of the coil 232 reduces the heat transmitted tothe LPG bottle 13.

FIGS. 19 and 20 illustrate a modified form of a vibration and/or heatlimiting member 240 which is generally similar to the mounting portions224 a, 224 b and 224 c. and has a top plate 226 and a spaced apartbottom plate 228 and a square resilient pad 242 therebetween which maybe rubber or elastomeric material such as the round resilient pad 230described above. A heat transmitting coil of metal 244 is embedded inthe resilient pad 242 and is in contact with the top plate 226 andbottom plate 228 to transmit heat from the top plate 226 to the bottomplate 228.

FIGS. 21, 22, 23 and 24 illustrate another embodiment generallydesignated 250 of the present invention. As shown on FIG. 21, there isan internal combustion engine 22′ and a tubular frame 252 rigidlymounted on the internal combustion engine 22′ in vibration and heatreceiving relationship thereto. A mounting bracket 58″, which isgenerally similar to the mounting brackets 58 and 58′ described above isconnected to the frame 252 at three locations indicated at 254 a, 254 band 254 c. A LPG bottle 13 is rigidly mounted in the mounting bracket58″ for receiving heat and vibration therefrom. A resilient pad 256which may be rubber or elastomeric material is between the mountingbracket 58″and the frame and attenuates the frequency of the vibrationtransmitted to the mounting bracket 58″ to reduce the frequency anddecrease the amplitude of the vibration transmitted to the mountingbracket 58″ and thus to the LPG bottle.

FIGS. 22, 23 and 24 illustrate several different embodiments of avibration and/or heat limiting member for connection of the mountingbracket 58″ to the tubular frame 252 to allow the transmitting ofvibration and heat from the frame 252 to the mounting bracket 58″ and tothe LPG bottle 13 which is rigidly connected to the mounting bracket 58″by, for example, an over center snap/strap 260 similar to the strap/snap60/62 described above in connection with FIG. 4.

In FIG. 22 there is shown a vibration and/or heat limiting memberarrangement 261. As shown thereon, there is a heat transmitting metalblind “pop” rivet 262 which extends through the mounting bracket 58″,through the pad 256 and engages the inside surface 252 a of the tubularframe 252 to allow the transmitting of heat from the frame 252 to the tothe mounting bracket 58″.

In FIG. 23 there is shown a vibration and/or heat limiting memberarrangement 263 which may advantageously utilized for the condition ofthe tubular frame 252 having a comparatively thin wall. As shownthereon, there is a heat transmitting metal threaded insert 270 which isinstalled permanently in the tubular frame 252. A threaded mountingscrew 272 extends through the mounting bracket 58″, through the pad 256and threadingly engages the insert 270 to allow the transmitting of heatfrom the frame 252 to the to the mounting bracket 58″.

In FIG. 25 there is shown a vibration and/or heat limiting memberarrangement 265 which may advantageously utilized for the condition ofthe tubular frame 252 having a comparatively thick wall. As shownthereon, the tubular frame 252 is threaded as indicated at 274. Amounting bolt 274 threadingly engages the tubular frame at the threads272 and extends through the mounting bracket 58″, through the pad 256 toallow the transmitting of heat from the frame 252 to the to the mountingbracket 58″.

In each of the embodiments 200, 220 and 250, a flexible tubing, such asshown at 280 on FIG. 21 may be utilized for connecting the variouscomponents of the arrangements in the manner as generally illustratedin, for example, FIGS. 12, 13 and 14.

As described above, there is provided by the present invention aconvenient and safe internal combustion engine driven by the gasgenerated from the liquefied gas in an LPG container and in which theamount of gas to be drawn from the liquefied gas in the LPG is maximizedby having the LPG container rigidly connected to the internal combustionengine for both direct conductive heat transfer from the internalcombustion engine to the LPG to overcome the cooling due to the latentheat of evaporation of the liquefied gas and to have the internalcombustion engine vibrate the LPG container to increase the effectivesurface area of the liquefied gas. The liquefied gas may be, forexample, propane, butane or the like as packaged by many manufactures invarious shapes and sizes of LPG containers. Several of the preferredembodiments of the present invention described herein utilize a flexiblehose to connect various components such as the pressure regulator to theliquified petroleum gas bottle and/or the pressure regulator to theinternal combustion engine and/or the outlet of the LPG bottle dependingupon the particular application, so as to prevent damage to thecomponents due to relative movement therebetween caused by operation ofthe internal combustion engine or other factors. Further, in severalother embodiments of the present invention a vibration and/or heatlimiting member may be incorporated into the mounting structure toattenuate the frequency of the vibration and/or to limit the amplitudeof the vibration and/or to limit the amount of heat transmitted to therigidly connected LPG bottle.

Although specific embodiments of the present invention have beendescribed above with reference to the various Figures of the drawing, itshould be understood that such embodiments are by way of example onlyand merely illustrative of but a small number of the many possiblespecific embodiments which can represent applications of the principlesof the present invention. Various changes and modifications obvious toone skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains aredeemed to be within the spirit, scope and contemplation of the presentinvention as further defined in the appended claims. Accordingly, thoseskilled in this art will appreciate that the embodiments discussed aboveare exemplary of the present invention and they are not, however,intended to limit the scope of the claims herein. Many other substancesand techniques, different from those discussed above, can be used asequivalents of the structural components disclosed to provide anequivalent function.

1. A gas powered internal combustion engine drive arrangementcomprising, in combination: a liquified gas storage bottle arrangementhaving liquified gas therein, and an outlet connection to allow the flowof gas generated from said liquified gas therethrough; an outlet conduithaving a first end connected to said outlet connection of said liquifiedgas storage bottle arrangement to allow the flow of gas therethrough,and a second end; an internal combustion engine having an operatingcondition and a non-operating condition, and rotating an output shaft insaid operating condition, said internal combustion engine generatingheat and vibration in said operating condition thereof, said second endof said outlet conduit connected to said internal combustion engine fortransmitting gas thereto; a liquified gas storage bottle mountingarrangement for mounting said liquified gas storage bottle arrangementrigidly in heat and vibration receiving relationship to said internalcombustion engine, whereby said heat and vibration agitates and heatssaid liquified gas stored in said liquified gas storage bottlearrangement; and, said mounting arrangement further comprising avibration and/or heat limiting member member for controlling at leastone of the amplitude of the vibration, the frequency of the vibrationand the amount of heat transmitted to said liquified petroleum gasbottle.
 2. The arrangement defined in claim 1 and further comprising: amounting bracket; said vibration and/or heat limiting member coupled tosaid internal combustion engine and to said mounting bracket and saidvibration and/or heat limiting member transmitting heat and vibrationfrom said internal combustion engine to said mounting bracket; saidliquified gas storage bottle rigidly mounted on said mounting bracketfor receiving heat and said vibration therefrom.
 3. The arrangementdefined in claim 2 wherein: said vibration and/or heat limiting memberreduces the frequency of the vibration transmitted from said internalcombustion engine to said mounting bracket.
 4. The arrangement definedin claim 2 wherein: said vibration and/or heat limiting member reducesthe magnitude of the amplitude of the vibration transmitted from saidinternal combustion engine to said mounting bracket.
 5. The arrangementdefined in claim 2 wherein: said vibration and/or heat limiting memberreduces the frequency of the vibration transmitted from said internalcombustion engine to said mounting bracket and reduces the magnitude ofthe amplitude of the vibration transmitted from said internal combustionengine to said mounting bracket.
 6. The arrangement defined in claim 2wherein: said vibration and/or heat limiting member reduces the amountof heat transmitted from said internal combustion engine to saidmounting bracket.
 7. The arrangement defined in claim 6 wherein: saidvibration and/or heat limiting member reduces the frequency of thevibration transmitted from said internal combustion engine to saidmounting bracket and reduces the magnitude of the amplitude of thevibration transmitted from said internal combustion engine to saidmounting bracket.
 8. The arrangement defined in claim 7 wherein: saidmounting bracket having an arcuate internal surface with a preselectedcurvature thereof to define a cavity; said liquified gas storage bottlehaving a cylindrical external surface having a preselected diameter andsaid cylindrical outer surface of said liquified gas storage bottlehaving substantially the same curvature of said preselected curvature ofsaid arcuate internal surface of said mounting bracket; said liquifiedgas storage bottle rigidly and removably mounted in said cavity of saidmounting bracket and said arcuate interior surface of said mountingbracket in conductive heat transfer contact with said cylindrical outersurface of said liquified gas storage bottle for said liquified gasstorage bottle receiving heat and vibration from said mounting bracketfor agitating and heating said liquified gas stored in said liquifiedgas storage bottle to increase the generation of gas phase therefrom,and said liquified gas storage bottle having an outlet connection. 9.The arrangement defined in claim 8 wherein: said contact between saidarcuate internal surface of said mounting bracket with said cylindricalouter surface of said liquified gas storage bottle is substantiallycontinuous throughout the extent of said arcuate interior surface ofsaid mounting bracket.
 10. The arrangement defined in claim 9 andfurther comprising: a connector connected to said outlet connection ofsaid liquified gas storage bottle for receiving said gas phasetherefrom; an outlet conduit having a first end connected to saidconnector for receiving said gas phase from said connector, and a secondend; a pressure regulator for delivering gas phase to said internalcombustion engine, and said second end of said outlet conduit connectedto said pressure regulator for delivering gas phase to said pressureregulator; said outlet conduit comprising a flexible hose; whereby saidinternal combustion engine receives said gas phase for operation thereoffrom said pressure regulator and said internal combustion enginegenerates said heat and said vibration for transmitting said heat andvibration to said vibration and/or heat limiting member for thecondition of said internal combustion engine operating.
 11. Thearrangement defined in claim 2 wherein: said vibration and/or heatlimiting member further comprises: a pair of spaced apart resilient heattransferring spring wing portions, each of said wing portions having afirst end and a second end; a resilient heat transferring springintermediate member coupled to and positioned between said spaced apartwing members and having a first end and a second end; said first ends ofsaid wing portions connected to said internal combustion engine and saidsecond ends of said wing portions connected to said mounting bracket;said first end of said intermediate member coupled to said mountingbracket and said second end thereof copuled to said internal combustionengine, whereby said vibration and/or heat limiting member reduces thefrequency if said vibration, reduces the amplitude of said vibration andreduces the heat flow to said liquified gas storage bottle.
 12. Thearrangement defined in claim 2 wherein: said vibration and/or heatlimiting member further comprises a plurality of mounting portions, eachof said mounting portions having: a top plate and a spaced apart bottomplate; a resilient pad positioned between said top plate and said bottomplate and coupled thereto; each of said top plates coupled to saidinternal combustion engine and each of said bottom plates coupled tosaid mounting bracket; a heat transmitting coil in regions adjacent saidresilient pad and in heat transfer contact to said top plate and saidbottom plate, whereby said vibration and/or heat limiting member reducesthe frequency if said vibration, reduces the amplitude of said vibrationand reduces the heat flow to said liquified gas storage bottle.
 13. Thearrangement defined in claim 12 wherein: said heat transmitting coil isat the outside surface of said resilient pad.
 14. The arrangementdefined in claim 12 wherein: said heat transmitting coil is embeddedinside said resilient pad.
 15. The arrangement defined in claim 2 andfurther comprising: a tubular frame member rigidly coupled to saidinternal combustion engine in vibration and heat receiving relationshipthereto; said mounting bracket having at least three vibration and/orheat limiting member mounting portions for connection of said mountingbracket to said tubular frame; each of said mounting portionscomprising: a resilient pad between said tubular frame and said mountingbracket; a heat transferring fastener extending through said mountingbracket and connected to said tubular frame for transferring heat fromsaid tubular frame to said mounting bracket, whereby said vibrationand/or heat limiting member reduces the frequency if said vibration,reduces the amplitude of said vibration and reduces the heat flow tosaid liquified gas storage bottle.